Anthropology Writing Project
Intro to Anthro – Unit 1 Midterm Writing Track – What is Anthropology? Project OVERVIEW You will create a project with the theme of “What is Anthropology?”, integrating and synthesizing the topics we’ve covered so far. As this is a reflection on class content, please use concepts and examples from course materials. PURPOSE To deepen and expand knowledge of anthropological approaches, apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios, and engage creatively with course content. ● Skills: This assignment will help you practice the following skills that are essential to your success in this course: ○ Explaining foundational concepts ○ Applying knowledge ○ Critical analysis ● Knowledge: This assignment will help you become familiar with the following important content knowledge in this discipline: ○ Key concepts and topics in archaeology TASK 1. You will create a project on “What is Anthropology?”, engaging with the prompts below. You can imagine that you are teaching the subject to someone else, and explaining how anthropology helps shed light on our lived experiences, how we organize our societies, and how we interact with the world around us 2. In your responses, make sure to explain material in your own words, illustrate what you are talking about with specific examples from course materials, and offer your own analysis. Avoid making over-generalizations that speak for communities; ground your statements in evidence 3. Respond to all of the following prompts (a, b, c, and d) a. In your own words, define what anthropology is, and explain its foundational concepts of culture and biocultural evolution. Draw from Topics 1, 2, and 3 on What is Anthropology?, Culture, and Biocultural Evolution. Consider why these foundational concepts are important for anthropology b. To dive more deeply into anthropology and discuss what anthropologists study and how they study it, pick two key subjects/concepts/examples that resonated with you from at least two of the three remaining topics: Topic 4 on Language, 1 Topic 5 on Human Biological Variation, and Topic 6 on Social Inequality. For example, you could discuss how race is a social construct, and human biological variation does not align with a concept of race. You could talk about language and power, and how language can act as a tool of colonization, but also resistance to oppression. You could discuss gender as a cultural construct, enacted in our everyday lives. You could tackle lingering colonial approaches in anthropology, and how to break them down. c. Discuss the significance of your examples, demonstrating that you have thought critically about this material. Why is this topic important? How has class material influenced your perspective on the issue? What is valuable to you about what you have learned? d. Throughout your analysis and discussion, integrate key anthropological concepts and perspectives, demonstrating substantial engagement with anthropological approaches to analyzing topics. For example, you could address the importance of fieldwork and lived experiences, the necessity of taking a holistic perspective, or the need to explore both power and agency. 4. NOTE that your discussions should not overlap with your assignments submitted so far, i.e., you should not copy and paste, or only slightly reword, from your assignments into your project. The project should be new work 5. Choose a format through which you will explore the topic. For example, you could do a. A reflection paper b. An audio/podcast recording c. A video d. A PowerPoint presentation e. An infographic or set of infographics f. A Factsheet or set of Factsheets g. An educational Twitter thread (you do not have to actually publish the thread) h. Another format we decide on 6. Whichever format you choose, please: a. Explain your topic/concepts you have chosen in your own words. b. Use specific examples to illustrate your topic/what your concepts mean. You can do outside research or connect to your lived experiences, but you must include and center examples from course content c. Critically analyze your topic and demonstrate deep engagement with course content—e.g., concepts, methods, or examples we’ve addressed and discussed. It should be clear how course content has influenced your perspective or expanded the analytical tools you have to approach the topic. 2 d. Address the complexity of your topic/concepts. For example, explore multiple aspects of the topic, or how your topic/concept can be approached from multiple perspectives. Think holistically. 7. Note that you are not required to do additional research, but you can if you want to. If you do research, all sources must be cited properly. Project Format Options General notes: ● Use 600 words as a minimum length guideline for each of the types of formats, for example, when considering number of PowerPoint slides/amount of text on slides, length of audio or video presentations, amount of text on infographics, etc. Note that meeting the minimum word count is not a guarantee of full credit; projects should demonstrate sufficient critical engagement with the material to receive full credit ● Organization: Whatever format you choose, clearly identify and introduce your topic/concept, state your purpose, and synthesize/summarize main takeaways. ● Citing Sources: Whatever format you choose, if you are consulting sources, cite the sources both in-text (or “in-presentation”) and in a References Cited section. ○ For example, if you refer to a source in a PowerPoint slide, use an in-text citation in the slide, and include a References slide with full bibliographic information. If you are consulting a source for an infographic, cite the source where you use it in the infographic, and leave space on the graphic for References, or turn in a separate References page. If you cite a source in an audio/video presentation, identify where the source is coming from as you’re speaking (e.g., refer to the author, or website name), and turn in a list of references. ○ If you are using visual material, include a caption that cites the source of each image Format Options: ● ● ● ● A reflection paper An audio/podcast recording A video A PowerPoint presentation ○ If you choose a PowerPoint presentation, since you will not actually be presenting the PowerPoint to class, please make sure that you write out explanations on the slides. If you would prefer to make slides with more concise wording, another option is to record yourself presenting: ○ Tutorial on recording PowerPoint presentations 3 ● ● ● ● An infographic or set of infographics A Factsheet or set of Factsheets An educational Twitter thread (you do not have to actually publish the thread) Another format that we discuss TIPS FOR SUCCESS ● THINK HOLISTICALLY AND CRITICALLY! Deeply engage with the material. Demonstrate the connection between anthropological theories, methods, and evidence and your arguments/insights. For example, you could: Explore the complexity of the topic you address. Consider multiple aspects and perspectives. Question taken-for-granted cultural assumptions. ● CONNECT the topic you address to specific content from class. It should be clear how anthropological perspectives and methods have influenced or expanded your understanding of this topic. Apply specific terminology and concepts we’ve covered. ● BE SPECIFIC! Demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, and engagement with the material by using specific examples and insights from class, your lived experiences, or additional sources, if you consult them. ● WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS! The goal of this assignment is to expand and deepen your knowledge of anthropology. Writing in your own words demonstrates your understanding and ability to apply and analyze anthropological concepts and perspectives. ● CITE YOUR SOURCES! Any sources used must be properly cited. ○ Quote and paraphrase correctly. This means quoting exact phrases, paraphrasing in your own words, and including both in-text citations and a Works Cited page for every source consulted. If you consult the textbook, please cite the textbook in-text, including relevant page numbers, as well. ○ If you do not cite your sources properly, this is plagiarism. Assignments with plagiarism will not be graded and will be returned to you for revision. Consult the Avoiding Plagiarism Reference Guide for more information. ● USE ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOURCES! If you do consult additional sources, critically evaluate the source. Use reliable, anthropological resources. Avoid more general resources like online dictionaries, Wikipedia, or Quizlet. HELPFUL RESOURCES Review resources, documents, and tips in the Writing Resources module to help you with aspects of the writing process: 4 ● Do you need to cite any material? These resources will help you learn to cite and avoid plagiarism: ○ Avoiding Plagiarism Reference Guide ○ Types of Plagiarism ○ Preventing Plagiarism when Writing ○ Quoting & Paraphrasing or Quoting & Paraphrasing | Quick Guide ○ For a comprehensive writing resource, see Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) ● Do you want help on any aspect of the writing, from getting started, to organizing your ideas, to fleshing out your writing, to citing sources, or revising? Make an appointment with the Writing Center SUBMISSION Please submit your project online to the Unit 1 Writing Track assignment folder. RUBRIC Rubric Link CHECKLIST FOR SUCCESS ❏ Did I read through and follow all directions? ❏ Did I read through the Tips for Success and Helpful Resources? ❏ Did I complete all tasks? ❏ Did I explain the topic/concept fully and thoughtfully? ❏ Did I think deeply and critically about the material? ❏ Did I apply a holistic perspective? ❏ Did I support my points with specific examples/content from class or the textbook? ❏ Did I cite any sources used properly? 5
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